Nature Therapy Ireland (NTI) est. 2020 brings together a wide range of research-based nature connection and forest bathing practices. The work gently guides you in rediscovering your connection to nature to bring balance to your physical health and mental wellbeing.
The owner, Sarah Hourigan, has a B.A. (Hons) from University College Cork and an M.Sc. from Trinity College Dublin both in applied psychology. After a number of years working in the field of research for the Trinity Institute of Neuroscience, The Health Research Board and Multiple Sclerosis Ireland, Sarah decided to pursue a career in the outdoors and went on to complete courses in Forest Bathing, Wild Therapy, Ecopsychology, Forest Therapy, Mountaineering and Wilderness Safety.
Sarah draws on elements from each of these practices and her lifelong passion for spending time in nature to create NTI events while also striving to make research-based nature connection work as accessible and inclusive as possible.
Nature Therapy Ireland
NTI aims to continue to investigate the evidence-based link between nature connection and the health and wellbeing of a population that is already a strong feature of preventative healthcare systems across the globe (e.g. Japan). NTI aims to develop nature connection skill sharing on a community level which will in turn alleviate pressure on the Irish health system as a complement to traditional forms of healthcare.
NTI caters to a wide demographic and has worked with a wide variety of governmental, private, corporate and public groups thus far.